ANAHEIM — Disneyland has shut down two cooling towers after an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease. <br /> <br />Orange County health officials said nine people who visited the theme park in September came down with the disease, CNN reported. <br /> <br />Three other people in the Anaheim area also got sick, according to a spokeswoman for the Orange County Health Care Agency. <br /> <br />The 12 patients range in age from 52 to 94, according to the L.A. Times. <br /> <br />The towers were shut down after Disney was notified by health officials on October 27 about increased Legionnaires' cases, according to CNN. <br /> <br />Disney found two of its 18 cooling towers had elevated levels of Legionella bacteria, which were then treated and disinfected. <br />Cooling towers supply cooled water for several uses such as refrigeration or air conditioning, but not for drinking water. <br /> <br />Legionnaires disease is a severe lung infection caused by Legionella bacteria through exposure to contaminated water or mist. <br /> <br />The source of the mist can be air conditioning units, showers or hot tubs. It is not contagious between humans. It is treated with antibiotics. <br />Disney is now waiting on health officials to see when the two towers can be put back online.
